William Hague Hub

I am deeply saddened and disappointed that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda has been signed into law. The UK strongly opposes all discrimination on any grounds. We question the Bill’s compatibility with Uganda’s constitution and international treaty obligations. There can be no doubt that this Bill will increase persecution and discrimination of Ugandans, as well as damage Uganda’s reputation internationally.

We ask the Government of Uganda to protect all its citizens and encourage tolerance, equality and respect. We will continue to press the Government of Uganda to defend human rights for all, without discrimination on any grounds.

The Netherlands, for instance — whose bilateral aid to Uganda for 2014 amounts to €22 million euros ($30.21 million) – had already suspended its direct budget support to the government, and is now considering what to do with civil society organizations receiving Dutch aid that will be found to have backed the bill. Roel van der Meij, spokesperson for Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen, didn’t clarify whether the suspicion is on local civil society groups only, as he told Devex there’s no reason to believe that any organization currently receiving aid from the Netherlands has supported the bill.

Said Cameron: "We have always given William our 100 per cent support. That was the case yesterday and it is the case today.The prime minister totally understands why William made the statement he did and he backs him 100 per cent."

"Max Clifford said the Foreign Secretary had turned a 'small problem into a huge one' with his denials of an 'improper relationship' with former aide Chris Myers. The tabloid PR guru also said mentioning wife Ffion's miscarriages made him look like he was 'trying too hard' to kill off the rumours. He said: 'The point of PR is to make the situations that you find yourself in better. Before he went public about what was on the internet, most of the British public was totally unaware of these allegations. “Now people are saying, Why is a rich man, a multi-millionaire, sharing a room with another man?' If this young guy turns out to have had sexual relationships in the past it doesn't prove that William Hague is gay but he will be finished.'”

"Mr Hague's office put out the statement in response to internet rumors that suggested that he had recently shared a room with Mr Myers, a long-time aide who was handed a government job over the summer."

Said Hague in the statement: "I feel it is necessary to issue this personal statement in response to press and internet speculation over the last ten days. Earlier this year a Sunday newspaper began questioning whether my marriage to Ffion was in trouble, and last week another media outlet asked whether there was a statement about our supposed separation. This seemed to be linked to equally untrue speculation surrounding the appointment of Christopher Myers as a special adviser. He is easily qualified for the job he holds. Any suggestion that his appointment was due to an improper relationship between us is utterly false, as is any suggestion that I have ever been involved in a relationship with any man. He has now told me that, as a result of the pressure on his family from the untrue and malicious allegations made about him, he does not wish to continue in his position. It is a pity that a talented individual should feel that he needs to leave his job in this way."

Hague also felt it necessary to clarify information about his marriage:

"However, we now feel it necessary to give some background to our marriage because we have had enough of this continued and hurtful speculation about us. I have made no secret of the fact that Ffion and I would love to start a family. For many years this has been our goal. Sadly this has proved more difficult for us than for most couples. We have encountered many difficulties and suffered multiple miscarriages, and indeed are still grieving for the loss of a pregnancy this summer."